Highest Serial Number 105PN?

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ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

A "gap filler" just showed up on eBay. It is listed as a 150mm PN but is in fact a nice, nearly new 105PN, Serial Number 1091. Here's the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194913037115

Chris S.
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by Chris S. »

Good catch, Ray--your noting that this lens was mis-marked.

To my eye, this looks like a listing of more interest to a collector than to a photographer. As a photographer, I emphasize obtaining images. I try hard to take care of my lenses, but making images comes first.

This offering seems to emphasize the lens' virginal aesthetics. This is likely important for the collectors in the world.

--Chris S.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Chris S. wrote:
Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:36 pm
Good catch, Ray--your noting that this lens was mis-marked.

To my eye, this looks like a listing of more interest to a collector than to a photographer. As a photographer, I emphasize obtaining images. I try hard to take care of my lenses, but making images comes first.

This offering seems to emphasize the lens' virginal aesthetics. This is likely important for the collectors in the world.

--Chris S.
Most folks would prefer owning a new lens than a used one, and if only used is available, then would want it in as good a condition as possible. I'm personally most interested that the optics are in good condition. This listing implies the lens is basically new, but makes not specific claims about the optical condition. I've purchased "new" or "NOS" lenses which were badly infested with fungus, and others which had element separation, so without specific guarantees of optical quality, I don't buy anything used unless the seller gives free returns. All that said, I've handled quite a few 105PNs, and overall only two of the lenses had significant issues. One had separation, and another had fungus. All the others were excellent, even though the majority had obvious cosmetic issues that made them "user" lenses. So in general I agree, especially given the high price tag, but there may indeed be folks who would want to use such a "new-ish" lens and would buy it on speculation that the optics are as nice as the cosmetics.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Here's another gap filler, S/N 1086

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194956111757

Same seller as the S/N 1091, so it seems we get a clue about the origins of that one. I'm a bit shocked at the blatant theft of Mark Goodman's test page, with data of my 105PN, now owned by Lou...

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Another 105PNA showed up on eBay, S/N 500199. I have added it to the list, along with others that have come to light since I started the thread. The ones not in my original list are shown in bold below.

153
168
177
199
221
241
247
263
284
285
319
328
355
358
365
372
379
402
404
411
414
419
420
425
429
438
444
463
467
527
575
668
886
1086
1091
1281
1520
1521
105PNA Known Serial Numbers.JPG

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

I recently purchased a 95PN believing it was in its original box, but turns out the box was for a 105PNA Serial # 500351. If anyone has that lens you can have the box.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

S/N 500783 showed up on eBay. This is another "gap filler" lens.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

SN 501312 just showed up. Not a gap filler but looks like a nice lens!

RobertOToole
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by RobertOToole »

Never gave you my lenses Ray:

105A 1x
501286
200010

95A 2x
200042
200044
500101

Thanks for keeping track!

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

RobertOToole wrote:
Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:28 pm
Never gave you my lenses Ray:

105A 1x
501286
200010

95A 2x
200042
200044
500101

Thanks for keeping track!
Excellent, I'll add 1286 to the list.

I have not created such a list for the 95PN but may do that some time. As you know they are quite a bit scarcer than the the 105PN's.

Lou Jost
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by Lou Jost »

Ray, have you seen the current 105mm Printing Nikkor on ebay? Serial number 323253, very low. It has a silver ring, different from the other versions I have seen.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256057689328

It's also surprisingly cheap.

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Lou Jost wrote:
Tue Oct 17, 2023 8:58 pm
Ray, have you seen the current 105mm Printing Nikkor on ebay? Serial number 323253, very low. It has a silver ring, different from the other versions I have seen.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256057689328

It's also surprisingly cheap.
Not to be overly disparaging, but that lens has a couple things I don't like. First, it's the early version, as indicated by the 323 serial number. The A-versions have 500 serial numbers. The early versions are very good lenses, but are not quite as good as the A's, hence the lower value.

And that silver ring is not original. Looks like the original bottom trim cover, which also serves to hold the aperture ring in place, has gone missing and was replaced with a custom-made sleeve. Not sure how that sleeve attaches. Those are the kind of things you don't find out until you buy the lens.

I do wish the seller luck with his auction. If the glass has not been tampered with, it should be a nice "user" lens.

Lou Jost
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by Lou Jost »

Interesting. The curious thing is the old serial number. Are there PN105 lenses between this and the 500 serial numbers?

ray_parkhurst
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by ray_parkhurst »

Lou Jost wrote:
Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:44 am
Interesting. The curious thing is the old serial number. Are there PN105 lenses between this and the 500 serial numbers?
Not that I've seen, just two versions that are labeled as "Printing-Nikkor". Even more interesting is that both the 95PN and 105PN use the same serial number convention, ie 323 numbers are used for the first versions of both, and 500 numbers for the A versions of both. I think the same thing is true for later Rayfact versions of both lenses, which use 200 numbers, but I'm not 100% on that, maybe Robert can confirm.

RobertOToole
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Re: Highest Serial Number 105PN?

Post by RobertOToole »

Lou Jost wrote:
Tue Oct 17, 2023 8:58 pm
Ray, have you seen the current 105mm Printing Nikkor on ebay? Serial number 323253, very low. It has a silver ring, different from the other versions I have seen.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256057689328

It's also surprisingly cheap.
Just notice this Lou.

I know this lens. I've tested it here. Its a 105, not a 105A, so its not in the same category of performance as these early lenses were most likely based on the 105 Repro-Nikkor. All the later PNs, A models, use a ultra-wide band CA correction design patented for 0.5x - 3.5x so basically all later PNs are covered, the scanner-nikkor is also covered under this patent.

This lens, 323253, came with a big haul of lenses from a going-out-of-busness auction. The previous owner was an old film dupe lab here in LA that went out of business quite a long time ago. A friend won the auction. Evidently the lab was super busy since the owner could afford 6 PNs, 105s and 150s, but also they were all used, not kept on the shelf often. The lenses came in re-used cardboard cartons used by the lab from the 1990s, like a time capsule.

Best,

Robert
Last edited by RobertOToole on Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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